Community blood drive coming up July 22

Houchin's bloodmobile will be in the Taft Chamber of Commerce parking lot from noon to 6 p.m.

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Taft Midway Driller - Taft, CA

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Posted Jul. 9, 2014 at 4:47 PM

Posted Jul. 9, 2014 at 4:47 PM

For a grandmother fighting leukemia, a child battling sickle cell anemia, or a parent awaiting a liver transplant, a safe and accessible blood supply is more than just a wish. It’s a necessity—and it’s something most of us take for granted.

Blood must be available to patients when they need it, and no one can predict when a life-threatening emergency might strike any of us. Some 33,000 blood donors are needed in our country every day.

The Houchin Bloodmobile will be in Taft next Tuesday, July 22, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the parking lot of the Taft Chamber of Commerce at the corner of Kern and Fourth Streets.

Blood supplies are perilously low. Blood has a shelf life of only 42 days, so the supply must be constantly replenished.

Donors can safely give blood up to six times a year, with eight weeks between donations.

Currently we have the Bloodmobile in Taft every other month for your donation.

Blood donation is safe and easy and takes only about one hour or less. To be eligible to donate, you must be at least 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Eat a good meal within four hours before donating. Know any prescriptions you might be taking, because that might affect whether or not you can give. The single unit of blood you donate could help to save the lives of up to four people.

So, come on out and donate.

It will benefit people in our community, and it will give you a good feeling to serve other people. You never know when you or someone you love might be the one who needs blood. Remember that people live when people give.